Since when did it become a societal norm to imprison innocent children?

The immigration detention centre located on Nauru Island is becoming internationally recognized as one of the most inhumane centres in the world. Yet the Australian immigration department refuses to acknowledge the extent of the detrimental effects that the treatment in the centre has on the detainees. Even while there is extensive evidence that substantiates the case.

Due to the lack of adequate medical care provided at Nauru, pregnant mothers and children have been transferred to Australia to receive the medical attention that they not only require, but are entitled to. As article 25 of the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that "Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services."

However, Australia’s immigration minister Peter Dutton has pledged to “deport 72 children back to Nauru”.

Babies born in Australia to women moved from offshore detention are regarded by the department as “illegal maritime arrivals” to the country, despite having never been on a boat nor having left Australia.

There are currently 79 children being held in onshore detention, dreading their transportation back to the island, yet their cries for help are going unheard. In 2015, an investigation, labelled as a ‘hype’ by Dutton, was undertaken exploring the goings on the island. This ‘hype’ revealed numerous horrific abuse, assault and self-harm allegations. In the files, there are seven reports of sexual assault of children, 59 reports of assault on children, 30 of self-harm involving children and 159 of threatened self-harm involving children.

In one case, A refugee reported to a caseworker that her brother, a child under 18, had “self-harmed by burning his arms with cigarettes and cutting his wrist with a knife”. There had been between five and seven episodes of self-harm, she told the caseworker.

The Australian government must not allow children under Australia’s care, to be sent back to this harrowing place.

If the children are deported back to the island there is no way to ensure their safety, especially considering the previous allegations and recorded mistreatment in the centre.

Ultimately, the safety of these children is the overall responsibility of the Australian Government. By sending children back to Nauru the government is disregarding this responsibility.

Finally, to the Right and honourable Peter Dutton,

Do not compromise these children’s safety. Do not allow the children to be sent back to Nauru.